This is a wonderful tip that applies to more than gardening. There are times in every ones life that could use mentoring.

Especially great when you are new in an area and don't know what will grow well there.

My mentor is ATP

Karen

Wonderful tip Bubbles! I've had a few wonderful mentors in my life, my mother was a true mentor when it came to general things in life, and my mother in law and a couple of elderly friends were wonderful mentors when it came to gardening.

And a gardening mentor is a person who does or did garden. If they DID garden then they will appreciate being able to pass along their knowledge & will feel useful. It will make them feel like they are gardening again. Win, win situation.

Ditto on what everyone has said above. Especially the win-win situation.

Shoe

I also really like this tip!

Thanks to all of you. I've had quite a few mentors. I believe people genuinely want to help others. You just have to ask.

Get your seeds and baby plants from nearby gardeners in your area. They can tell you what grows best and how to care for the plants. Plants you buy at big-box retailers are often grown with artificial controlled climates and/or lots of chemicals to help them survive. I always like to try new plants that seem interesting while i'm shopping, and grab an impulse buy, but the long-term success rate for these experimental plants is less than 50/50 survival rate. However plants or seeds that you get from other members that come in the mail will have a higher chance of becoming your "new favorite plant."

I have a local nursery here in Dallas that will only sell plants hardy in our area. Daryl's Nursery. He has amazing plants.

I believe that also, but I sometimes grab a few at discount from the big box stores. I've found a great new nursery here that grows tropicals. I'm very excited!

I make a point of telling new plant purchasers that if they ever have any questions - even if it's about something they bought elsewhere - I'm happy to help with an answer. Spreading the information around is the best way to keep folks gardening. It's one of the most wonderful things about the internet: if you find sources you can trust, you've got it made!

You are a very generous person, Kate of the NE Kingdom of Vermont!

Yes she is Bubbles and a wealth of information she is so willing to share.

Bubbles, That's a great photo as well as a great tip. Does the photo have a back story you could share?

I could make up a story!
It was a garden tour and my daughter and grandson were talking to the lady in the chair (no, it was not me) about her garden. I just thought it was a good photo of Juli getting gardening tips from a wise older lady (as opposed to her getting tips from her wise-cracking mother). And that's the truth.

Yes a great photo and I'll bet wise-cracking mom's give great advice too!

Oh, I give advice. No one seems to take it, though.

I understand